HT201300: How to identify MacBook Pro models

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DrC
Level 1 (26 points)

Q: Why does manufacture date MacBook Pro matter?

I am going to buy a 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display. I can buy a new one now (April 2013), or a refurbished model with a manufacture date of mid-2012. The stated specs for the 2 machines are identical. What would be different about the two? Should it matter which one I get?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Apr 19, 2013 5:25 AM

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DrC

Q: Why does manufacture date MacBook Pro matter?

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  • by CT,

    CT CT Apr 19, 2013 5:28 AM in response to DrC
    Level 6 (17,882 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 19, 2013 5:28 AM in response to DrC

    Given that their specs are identical, there are two differences I can think of: (1) One is refurbished = likely lightly used and repaired somehow, one is not.  (2) One is cheaper than the other.

  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 19, 2013 5:33 AM in response to DrC
    Level 9 (52,162 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 19, 2013 5:33 AM in response to DrC

    And both have the same warranty and Apple telephone support, but there is a difference in price.  I have purchased three refurbished MBPs and I can recommend that option.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Apr 19, 2013 6:00 AM in response to DrC
    Level 8 (35,059 points)
    iPad
    Apr 19, 2013 6:00 AM in response to DrC

    I can confirm the conditions of refurbs bought directly from Apple. At last count our family has seven refurb Macs including two MBPs, plus an iPad and two iPods.

     

    "Lightly used" did not apply--each unit was spotless. All are still in service, including our frst refurb, a Beige G3 tower bought in 1999 and now used as a photo server.

     

    I won't buy anything but a refurb if that option is available.

  • by DanInDub,

    DanInDub DanInDub Apr 19, 2013 7:36 AM in response to DrC
    Level 3 (640 points)
    Apr 19, 2013 7:36 AM in response to DrC

    It's not as simple as that.

     

    I've seen number of sources claiming that the components used in 2013 model are slightly different, presumably to resolve some of the issue 2012 model had.

     

    Also, the 2013 are equipped with faster CPU by 0.1 Ghz.

     

    Frankly, 2013-model will also have higher resale value than 2012 counterpart.

     

    But again, yes, if the price difference is significant, I wouldn't hesitate with refurbs. Bought few of those and there was no way to tell that it's refurb.